About Cider & Perry

Real cider is a long-established traditional drink which is produced naturally from apples and is neither carbonated or pasteurised. Real cider is in a similar situation to that which faced real ale some 30 years ago with the number of outlets diminishing even in the West Country. Perry (which is made from pears) is in a similar situation and is rarely available away from the farm gate. Many of the well-known ciders sold in the UK are not produced naturally from apples, but are cold, fizzy keg products which have been produced artificially.

As a result of the difficulties facing real cider, CAMRA has a dedicated cider and perry committee which is tasked with informing consumers about the choice of real cider and perry available and encouraging producers to continue production.

Is there a good cider pub near you?

In order to help people identify good local cider pubs CAMRA has developed a "Real Cider Sold Here" window sticker for pubs which regularly sell real cider. Each pub is checked out by one of CAMRA's cider coordinators to confirm that real cider is being served. To date there are over 780 pubs awarded with the accreditation window sticker.

CAMRA encourages all pubs to stock at least one real cider or perry preferably from a local stockist. There are now cider producers all round the country and not just the traditional cider counties of Devon, Somerset and Herefordshire.

If a pub near you has at least one real cider available throughout the year then please submit the pub's details below and we'll send out a free window sticker to the pub.

Champion Cider & Perry

CAMRA holds an annual nation-wide competition to determine the National Cider and Perry of the Year. The competition featured ciders and perries from across the UK, with each cider and perry judged on its individual taste, aroma, flavour, after-taste and overall appeal. The top awards were selected by a specially chosen panel of experienced judges, drinks writers and CAMRA members.

The winner of the 2018 Cider Gold medal is Scrummage produced by Harry's which impressed judges with "a sharp but easy drinking cider that stretches to a long lingering and pleasant aftertaste."

Harry's is based in Somerset.

The winner of the 2018 Perry Gold medal is Piglet's Choice Perry from Nempnett Cider company, which took the accolade for the second year in a row.

The judges described it as "a well balanced perry with a clean and fruity taste".

Nempnett Cider Company are based in Somerset.

Cider

GOLD - Harry's Scrummage (Somerset)

SILVER - Whin Hill, Browns (Norfolk)

BRONZE - Orgasmic, White Jersey (Herefordshire)

Bronze

GOLD - Nempnett, Piglet's Perry (Somerset)

SILVER - Oliver's, Perry (Herefordshire)

BRONZE - Whin Hill, Perry (Norfolk)

Cider & Perry Months

Unlike real ale production, which can happen at any time of the year, real cider & perry can only be made when the fruit is ripe. To highlight this, CAMRA celebrates cider and perry months in May and October. October is a very active time for producers, especially for those who make only a small amount of cider. Harvest time for cider fruit is roughly from September to November and by October production is in full flow.